Intralase

ALL-LASER LASIK (ILASIK): NO BLADE, NO CUTTING

iLasik (combination of Intralase and Advanced Customvue Lasik) is the most sophisticated technology available today. INTRALASE ® eye surgery is more predictable, more precise and ultimately safer than the traditional approach commonly used in the first step of the laser vision correction procedure. FDA Approved and commercially available in 2001, INTRALASE ® eye surgery has quickly become a standard of care in many clinics across the country. To date, approximately 100,000 IntraLase laser procedures have been completed with no significant complications reported. In our commitment to bringing the best and most advanced technology to our patients, we have invested in this IntraLase Lasik technology.

How the Interlase Method Works

Ultrafast pulses of laser using the femtosecond near infrared light position microscopic bubbles at a precise depth determined by your doctor.

The laser light passes harmlessly through the cornea. Then the laser creates rows of these bubbles just beneath the corneal surface as it moves back and forth across your eye in a uniform plane.

Next, the IntraLase laser stacks bubbles around your corneal diameter to create the edges of your flap. These bubbles are stacked at an angle that is determined by your doctor and is individualized to the way your eye is shaped.

The process takes only about 30 seconds from start to finish. It's quiet and it's comfortable.

Your doctor then gently lifts the flap to allow for the second step of your LASIK treatment. When treatment is complete the flap easily "locks" back into position and rapidly begins to heal.

UNIQUELY SAFE

Traditionally the first step of the LASIK procedure was performed with a hand held mechanical device. While the results using this method have been very good, a new computer controlled laser is now available that eliminates many of the possible complications that were occasionally seen with the mechanical device. This INTRALASE ® FS laser enables us to provide remarkable predictability and precision. It is this precision that makes laser vision correction enriched with INTRALASE ® one of the safest forms of surgical vision correction available today. A conination of Intralase and Advanced Custom Vue is know as iLasik and this is the only type of laser refractive procedure approved for US navy aviators and NASA astronauts.

Less Invasive Approach

By replacing the traditional approach with a beam of light, the INTRALASE ® FS laser dramatically reduces the risk of complications; in fact, more patients may now be candidates for laser vision correction due to this unique level of precision that was previously unavailable. Replacing the mechanical first step of the procedure with the computer precision of a laser is consistent with other advances in medicine today.

Predictably Better Vision

INTRALASE ® is rapidly becoming known as the key ingredient to optimizing visual results in laser vision correction surgery. This technology makes every laser vision correction procedure more predictable. Comparative clinical studies confirm that more patients achieve 20/20 vision or better with the INTRALASE ® than with the use of the microkeratome.

Uniquely Precise

The computer-guided laser for creating of the first step of LASIK is the most sophisticated and accurate system available today. The greater level of precision that INTRALASE ® technology provides is important to all of our patients. It allows us to continually provide a higher level of care in our facility.\

WHAT IS THE POST OPERATIVE CARE?

The vision will be slightly blurred during the first 24-36 hours.

Mild irritation, foreign body sensation, mild pain can be present during the first 3-4hours after the procedure.

Eye drops will have to be used as per schedule.

Patient should not touch or rub the eye for a minimum period of one week.

WHAT IF MY EYES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR LASIK?

Lasik/Customized Lasik is a proven technology where you can get rid of spectacles or contact lenses. However, in certain situations like very high myopic (minus power), hyperopic (plus power) errors and limited corneal thickness, Lasik (Customized Lasik) may not provide desirable results. The following surgical procedures can be used under such circumstances.

LASEK or EPILASIK: This procedure also is done using the excimer laser. This procedure is done for simple myopia (less than -6.0 D) where cornea is too thin to allow for the conventional Lasik/Customized Lasik.

Procedure

The surgical procedure is relatively simple and takes only about 10 minutes per eye (Slightly longer than the conventional Lasik).

The anaesthetic drops are first instilled to cause numbing of the eye

A speculum (Clip) is placed to separate the eyelids & to prevent the patient from closing the eye during the procedure. The patient is asked to focus on a flashing red light.

20% absolute alcohol is used to loosen the epithelium (Surface layer). The epithelial layer (50-60µ) is then removed. Alternatively the microkeratome with a special plastic separator is used to remove the epithelium.

Excimer laser then reshapes the cornea.

A bandage contact lens is placed on the cornea for 2-3 days to reduce the discomfort.

Full visual recovery may take 5-7 days

WHAT ARE MYOPIA, HYPEROPIA AND ASTIGMATISM?

Clear vision in the normal eye is due to light rays falling on the eye and passing through the cornea, pupil and lens and focusing the image on the retina

When the eye is too long, light focuses in front of the retina causing myopia (Short Sight). When the eye is too short, light rays focus behind the retina causing hyperopia (long sight). When the cornea is shaped like the back of a spoon, light focuses on more than one point and a blurred image is formed on the retina and this is known as astigmatism (Cylindrical power) and is often associated with short sight or long sight.

Normal Eye :

Rays of light refocused on the Retina (FOVEA)

Hypermetropia :

Light rays are focused behind the Retina

Myopia :

Light rays are focused in front of the retina.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR REFRACTIVE ERRORS?

Temporary Options:

Spectacles

This is the most common temporary solution to correct refractive errors because of easy maintenance and low cost. The drawbacks of spectacles are obvious-they interfere with activities and change a person's appearance. Additionally, spectacles also reduce the peripheral vision.

Contact lenses

Contact lenses are a popular alternative to spectacles. They provide excellent peripheral vision and permit a wider range of activities than spectacles. Contact lenses do not alter a person's appearance. Problems with contact lenses include their recurrent costs, maintenance hassles and possibility of infection and intolerance due to sensitivities.

Permanent options:

There are various surgical options available for the permanent correction of these refractive errors. Your physician must choose the best treatment for your specific disorder.

Eligibility of the candidate for a permanent treatment

Should be above 18 years and should have a stable spectacle power for over a year. Should not be suffering from other eye disorders like cataract, glaucoma, retinal disorders etc.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PERMANENT SURGICAL TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

Lasik (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis)

In Lasik, the corneal surface is reshaped using a laser beam. It corrects vision by altering refractive power of the eye by a calculated change in the corneal curvature. The image of the outside world is now focused sharply on the retina.

Wavefront Lasik or Customized Lasik

Wavefront Lasik or Customized Lasik is the result of a quantum leap in technology of sight restoration and enhancement. This Wavefront guided Lasik is a giant step forward from conventional Lasik. Optical aberrations (imperfections) inherent in the eye may adversely affect the visual acuity and the optical performance of the eye. Conventional Lasik can only correct the spectacle power & not these subtle optical aberrations. With Wavefront

guided Lasik, it is now possible to reduce these aberrations and enhance vision much above the normal levels. Custom Vue (VISx star S4 from AMO) is the procedure available for customized Lasik.